How to Plant Marshmallow Seeds

Today, we planted marshmallow! These seeds need to be stratified and then scarified before planted. Stratifying can be quite the process, and seeds can be purchased pre-stratified. Scarifying is quite simple, and we'll walk you through that process and planting marshmallow seeds in this step-by-step guide; no worries!
Marshmallow roots and leaves are used primarily to reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract and stomach, meaning it's great for dry cough, bronchitis, sore throat, and stomach upset. It's also great for diarrhea, constipation, UTIs, and stones in the urinary tract. Additionally it can be put on scrapes and bruises to help them heal!

Step One: Get your stratified marshmallow seeds out! We started from seeds this time, but once you have an established plant you can use cuttings, which is also fun!

Step Two: Scarifying time! The seeds are fairly small, so put them on sanding block (or steady piece of sandpaper).

Step Three: Rub a piece of sandpaper across them - not too much though! Just a couple strokes.

Step Four: Mix some potting soil with vermiculite, so your precious baby marshmallows with have good drainage.

Step Five: Measure out an appropriate amount of fertilizer and mix it into the soil. Adding good fertilizer to herbs is an important step, since they can kick the bucket pretty quickly when they aren't nourished enough and lack potency when they aren't happy. 

Step Six: Put some dirt in your pot. Make sure to put in enough, since it will settle when watered, and you need it high enough that sun can get to the seedling when it sprouts.

Step Seven: Put your scarified marshmallow seeds in! Place them right on top of the soil. Then, bury them only enough that the seed is covered. Pat the soil so that the seed is secure. Water carefully and thoroughly.

All done! Just make sure to keep the soil moist and kept in good light. In about 2 weeks, you should see a baby marshmallow plant peeking out of the soil. Yay!

Want to pre-order some marshmallow tea? Let us know at GourdgeouslyGood@gmail.com.

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How to Make Lemon Balm Tea - Contact Us for Organic, Fresh Lemon Balm!

Today, we made some lemon balm tea. It's known for its intense soothing powers - a great stress reliever, anxiety and insomnia killer, and indigestion soother. Not to mention, it smells like fresh picked lemons and has an amazing lemon taste. Basically, this tea is perfect for anyone who is prone to anxiety or needs to relax, especially at the end of a stressful day or anyone who loves lemon.

If you'd like to buy fresh lemon balm, contact us at GourdgeouslyGood@gmail.com and we'll get some to you right away!


Step One: Pick some lemon balm (or measure out a small bunch sent to you from us!).

Step Two: Put the leaves into an infuser.

Step Three: Let steep for 10 minutes.

Step Four: Enjoy your AMAZING, yummy tea and sense of blissful peace.

Lemon balm has so many wonderful benefits. The most popular use is its wonderful ability to calm anxiety and allow for restful sleep. However, it also helps the skin look younger, boosts alertness, supports the liver, is a great antioxidant, helps with memory, protects brain cells... The list goes on.

Let us know if you'd like some organic, fresh lemon balm or to join our CSA.

Contact us at GourdgeouslyGood@gmail.com.

How To Store Dried Herbs

Okay, now that you have grown, harvested, and dried your herbs, what do you do with them? Well, there are many ways to store them. You could freeze them in little ice cubes or a yummy, perfectly portioned butter cube. However, I like to store mine in jars, so that I can break them up RIGHT before I cook with them, so that they keep their flavor the best. So, here's how I do it:

Step 1: Gather your supplies. You'll need your dried herbs (after about 3-4 weeks of drying, so that they literally crisp apart at the touch), scissors (for cutting stems), and a jar (or even a Ziploc bag).

Step 2: Pick the leaves off carefully where they meet the stem. It's better not to crumple them to bits, waiting until you actually use them. This keeps the flavor much longer.

Step 3: Put the leaves in a sealed jar. You can pretty it up if you wish. I chose not to this time. I honestly love the simplicity of a mason jar on its own with herbs showing through the glass.

- If short on time or effort level, you can also cut the stems up and place the branches into a Ziploc bag. No shame. You got the job done, and now you have yummy basil on hand.

All done! Remember that dried herbs are much more potent than fresh ones, so even one jar full will last you quite a while!

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